Editing Game Informer (section)

==History==
===Origins and GameStop (1991–2024)===
====Magazine====
''Game Informer'' debuted in August 1991.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="VarietyFold" /><ref name=":6" /> David R. Pomijie, owner of [[FuncoLand]], decided to launch a magazine as a better way to spend "advertising dollars".<ref name="Encyclopedia of Video Games" /> The first [[editor-in-chief]] (EIC) was Elizabeth Olson with Andy McNamara as her editorial assistant.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Video Games">{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Ashley P. |title=Encyclopedia of Video Games: The Culture, Technology, and Art of Gaming |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |year=2021 |isbn=9798216161820 |editor-last=Wolf |editor-first=Mark J. P. |edition=2nd |chapter=Game Informer}}</ref> In 1993, Olson and McNamara jointly became coeditors-in-chief;<ref name="Encyclopedia of Video Games" /> with the release of issue sixteen, McNamara became the sole EIC.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Video Games" /><ref name=":6" /> ''Game Informer'' was published every two months until November 1994, when the magazine began to be released monthly.<ref name=":4">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/covers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212115523/http://gameinformer.com/mag/covers.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=February 12, 2010|title=GameInformer|magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop|access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref><ref name=":6" />

[[File:Gameinformermag.JPG|thumb|left|''Game Informer'' covers, {{Circa|2005}}]]

In 2000, [[Barnes & Noble]] acquired and merged several companies which led to the formation of [[GameStop Corp.]]; that year, both FuncoLand and ''Game Informer'' were purchased by GameStop.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Video Games" /> In 2001, Cathy Preston became the magazine's publisher; Preston had been working as part of the production team since 2000.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Video Games" /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/podcasts/archive/2016/10/13/gi-show-reliving-25-years-of-game-informer-history.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015091313/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/podcasts/archive/2016/10/13/gi-show-reliving-25-years-of-game-informer-history.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=October 15, 2016|title=GI Show – Reliving 25 Years Of Game Informer History|last=Hanson|first=Ben|date=October 13, 2016|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref> It was under her that the publication became an integral part of GameStop's customer loyalty program, Power Up Rewards.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Video Games" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2014/09/23/10-powerful-women-video-games/|title=10 powerful women in video games|last=Gaudiosi|first=John|date=September 23, 2014|work=Fortune.com|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-date=December 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202013217/http://fortune.com/2014/09/23/10-powerful-women-video-games/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, McNamara was still the magazine's EIC.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Video Games" /> In 2020, Preston retired from ''Game Informer'' after 20 years.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Managing |first=Brendan |date=March 10, 2020 |title=Game Informer non-editorial staff hit by layoffs |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/game-informer-non-editorial-staff-hit-by-layoffs |access-date=March 25, 2025 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |archive-date=August 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823061925/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/game-informer-non-editorial-staff-hit-by-layoffs |url-status=live }}</ref> Mary Lugones took over the role as publisher for ''Game Informer''.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

In 2010, ''Game Informer'' became the 5th largest magazine in the US with 5 million copies sold, ahead of popular publications like ''[[Time magazine|Time]]'', ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', and ''[[Playboy]]''.<ref name="Forbes2011">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2011/02/08/game-informer-jumps-a-third-in-circulation-to-become-fifth-largest-magazine-in-us/#1692c9b1dcdb|title=Game Informer Jumps a Third in Circulation to Become Fifth Largest Magazine in US|last=Tassi|first=Paul|date=February 8, 2011|work=[[Forbes]]|publisher=Forbes, LLC|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211083817/http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2011/02/08/game-informer-jumps-a-third-in-circulation-to-become-fifth-largest-magazine-in-us/#1692c9b1dcdb|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2011, ''Game Informer'' had become the 3rd largest magazine in the US, topping 8 million copies circulated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/08/10/gamestop-propels-game-informer-to-become-3rd-most-read-magazine/#c83a49d3d7f3|title=GameStop Propels Game Informer to Become 3rd Most Read Magazine|last=Tassi|first=Paul|date=September 10, 2012|work=Forbes|publisher=Forbes, LLC|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211083454/http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/08/10/gamestop-propels-game-informer-to-become-3rd-most-read-magazine/#c83a49d3d7f3|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in 2014 it had fallen to 4th place with 6.9 million copies sold.<ref name="abc">{{cite web|url=http://abcas3.accessabc.com/ecirc/magtitlesearch.asp|title=eCirc for Consumer Magazines|date=December 31, 2015|work=[[Audit Bureau of Circulations (North America)|Audit Bureau of Circulations]]|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724165959/http://abcas3.accessabc.com/ecirc/magtitlesearch.asp|archive-date=July 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Figures in 2017 placed the magazine at 4th place with over 7 million copies sold.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/p/corporateinfo.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004015820/http://gameinformer.com/p/corporateinfo.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 4, 2009|title=Company Profile|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref> The financial success of ''Game Informer'' has been attributed to its good relationship with publishers, ties to GameStop, and the lack of gaming-magazine competition.<ref name="Forbes2011" />

In August 2019, after months of declining financials for GameStop, about half of the current ''Game Informer'' staff were let go, part of the larger cut of more than 120 jobs by GameStop as part of the store's effort to improve their financial performance. These included some staff members that had been working at ''Game Informer'' for over 10 years, some were out on vacation during the time of the layoff. As a result of the layoff, other ''Game Informer'' staff also left of their own will, including video editor Ben Hanson. Ben Hanson eventually started his own podcast called [[MinnMax]], in the process recruiting some of the ''Game Informer'' staff that was laid off.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/gamestop-lays-off-over-100-people-including-nearly-hal-1837418024 |title=GameStop Lays Off Over 100 People, Including Nearly Half of ''Game Informer''<nowiki />'s Staff |first=Jason |last=Schreier |date=August 20, 2019 |access-date=August 20, 2019 |work=[[Kotaku]] |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820212136/https://kotaku.com/gamestop-lays-off-over-100-people-including-nearly-hal-1837418024 |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2020, there was again another set of layoffs at ''Game Informer'', this time not affecting editors but instead people who worked in other departments of ''Game Informer''.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/03/10/gi-update-publisher-cathy-preston-retires | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314045101/https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/03/10/gi-update-publisher-cathy-preston-retires | url-status=live | archive-date=March 14, 2020 | title=GI Update: Publisher Cathy Preston Retires | magazine=Game Informer }}</ref><ref name=":7" />

In late June 2020, longtime EIC McNamara announced he was leaving ''Game Informer'', to be the Global Director of Integrated Comms for Shooters & Star Wars at Electronic Arts, and that former senior editor Andrew Reiner would be taking his place as EIC. McNamara, who had at the time stopped reviewing games for ''Game Informer'', instead focused solely on writing stories and behind the scenes work, came back to give his final review, ''[[The Last of Us Part II]]''. After leaving ''Game Informer'', he eventually said that the layoffs had a big impact on his decision to move on.<ref name=":6">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/06/30/editor-in-chief-andy-mcnamara-leaves-game-informer-after-29-years/|title=Editor-in-Chief Andy McNamara leaves Game Informer after 29 years|last=Favis|first=Elise|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=March 14, 2021|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206174004/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/06/30/editor-in-chief-andy-mcnamara-leaves-game-informer-after-29-years/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 4, 2021, the official website announced that every issue from then on would have a small print run variant known as Game Informer Gold. This version uses high quality paper and an alternate cover and is limited to 50 copies. The first copy was given away on November 6 for their Extra Life charity livestream.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=2021-11-04 |title=Introducing Game Informer Gold, An Ultra-Rare Gaming Collectible |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/psa/2021/11/04/introducing-game-informer-gold-an-ultra-rare-gaming-collectible |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104230115/https://www.gameinformer.com/psa/2021/11/04/introducing-game-informer-gold-an-ultra-rare-gaming-collectible |url-status=live |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=2022-08-14 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2022, three more ''Game Informer'' staff were laid off: John Carson, Wesley LeBlanc, and Creative Director Jeff Akervik, who had worked at the publication for over 14 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aken |first=Alex Van |date=July 14, 2022 |title=Bayonetta 3, Game Informer Layoffs, And Alex Stadnik Says Goodbye |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/video-podcast/2022/07/14/bayonetta-3-game-informer-layoffs-and-alex-stadnik-says-goodbye-gi-show |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714195657/https://www.gameinformer.com/video-podcast/2022/07/14/bayonetta-3-game-informer-layoffs-and-alex-stadnik-says-goodbye-gi-show |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Game Informer |language=en}}</ref> Later that month, LeBlanc was rehired after the departure of Jill Grodt.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1549786472445788160 |user=LeBlancWes |title=Announcement: I am returning to Game Informer. Here’s why, how, and more: [four images with full written statement] |first=Wesley |last=LeBlanc |date=July 20, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1549786343256903680 |user=Finruin |title=[Thread] Sad news first: I’m leaving Game Informer. Tuesday was my year anniversary, and Friday is my last day. The work and people have been incredible, and I can’t thank the GI crew enough for everything. The layoffs broke my heart, but I know everyone at GI will go on kicking ass. [1/3] Which brings me to the good news: My departure opened an opportunity for someone to return to GI. @LeBlancWes is coming back to the team! I wish I could erase all the bad that’s happened, but I’m so glad to see Wes at Game Informer again. [2/3] I still love GI and will continue to support the friends I made there in any way I can. As for my future plans, at the moment, I’m just looking forward to platinuming Tunic. There’s no grand adventure plotted yet, but I’m excited to figure out what’s next. [3/3] |first=Jill |last=Grodt |date=July 20, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> Andrew Reiner left ''Game Informer'' in September 2022 to become a game developer, thus leaving ''Game Informer'' with no original staff. Matt Miller, who has worked at ''Game Informer'' since 2004, was promoted to EIC. In Fall 2022, Kyle Hilliard (who was previously laid off) returned.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.gameinformer.com/letter-from-the-editor/2022/09/13/this-is-my-last-week-at-game-informer | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913160449/https://www.gameinformer.com/letter-from-the-editor/2022/09/13/this-is-my-last-week-at-game-informer | url-status=live | archive-date=September 13, 2022 | title=This is My Last Week at Game Informer | magazine=Game Informer }}</ref>

''Game Informer'' launched a new print magazine subscription, standalone from GameStop's Power Up Rewards, in March 2024. The program, which launched at a special annual price of $19.91 (commemorating the company's founding year), offers 10 print issues per year and digital magazine access.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Matt |title=Announcing The New Game Informer Magazine Subscription |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/letter-from-the-editor/2024/03/26/announcing-the-new-game-informer-magazine-subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327030138/https://www.gameinformer.com/letter-from-the-editor/2024/03/26/announcing-the-new-game-informer-magazine-subscription |url-status=live |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Game Informer |language=en}}</ref>

On August 2, 2024, GameStop leadership abruptly shuttered the publication and laid off its staff. The publication's website was replaced with a static "farewell" page, making old articles unreadable. The July 2024 issue was its 368th and final issue.<ref name="VarietyFold" /><ref name="folded" /><ref name=":0" /> Current and former staff bemoaned the sudden closure.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zwiezen |first1=Zack |title=The Internet Reacts To The Death Of Game Informer |url=https://kotaku.com/game-informer-magazine-shutting-down-closed-react-staff-1851611950 |access-date=2 August 2024 |work=Kotaku |date=2 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Morgan Park of ''[[PC Gamer]]'' reported that GameStop announced the shutdown publicly on the ''Game Informer'' [[X account]], however, the "''Game Informer'' staff suggested they had nothing to do with the brief, cringey statement that reads like [[ChatGPT]] output".<ref name=":0" /> Park highlighted that the ''Game Informer'' X account went briefly active on August 5, 2024 when "a former ''Game Informer'' staffer seemingly took the reins one last time to share a proper farewell" which included images of the ''Game Informer'' [[Masthead (American publishing)|masthead]]; after this farewell was posted, the ''Game Informer'' X account was wiped and "no longer exists, just like the website. It seems GameStop didn't appreciate ''Game Informer'' wanting to go out on its own terms".<ref name=":0" /> ''Aftermath'' then published a roundup from former ''Game Informer'' staff to eulogize the magazine in their own words.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2024 |title=Goodbye Game Informer, Games Journalism Won’t – And Wouldn’t – Be The Same Without You - Aftermath |url=https://aftermath.site/game-informer-closed-layoffs-eulogy |access-date=August 7, 2024 |website=Aftermath |language=en}}</ref>
====Website====
''Game Informer Online'' was originally launched in August 1996 and featured daily news updates as well as articles. Justin Leeper and Matthew Kato were hired on in November 1999 as full-time web editors. As part of the GameStop purchase of the magazine, this original GameInformer.com site was closed around January 2001.<ref name="ontheweb">"On the Web" (August 2001). ''Game Informer'', p. 49.  "Sadly, this ill-fated site was to last little more {{sic|that}} a year, as gameinformer.com would fall prey to the massive meltdown of the Internet economy in February [of 2001]."</ref>

''GI Online'' was revived, at the same domain name, in September 2003, with a full redesign and many additional features, such as a review database, frequent news updates, and exclusive "Unlimited" content for subscribers. It was managed by Billy Berghammer, creator of PlanetGameCube.com (now known as NintendoWorldReport.com).<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Billy Berghammer |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/OtherPages/Corporate/billybio.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503034617/http://www.gameinformer.com/OtherPages/Corporate/billybio.htm |archive-date=May 3, 2009 |website=Game Informer Online}}</ref> In 2010, Berghammer was the editor-in-chief at EGM Media Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/15/egm-now-hires-industry-vet-billy-berghammer-as-group-eic/|title=EGM Now hires industry vet Billy Berghammer as group EIC|last=Gilbert|first=Ben|date=May 15, 2010|work=[[Joystiq]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128161426/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/15/egm-now-hires-industry-vet-billy-berghammer-as-group-eic/|archive-date=January 28, 2015|access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref>

In March 2009, the online staff began creating the code for what would be the latest redesign to date. The redesign was to release hand-in-hand with the magazine's own redesign. On October 1, 2009, the newly redesigned website was live, with a welcome message from Editor-In-Chief Andy McNamara. Many new features were introduced, including a rebuilt media player, a feed highlighting the site activity of the website's users, and the ability to create user reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/10/01/welcome.aspx|title=Welcome To The New GameInformer.com|last=Mcnamara|first=Andy|date=October 1, 2009|work=Game Informer|access-date=November 20, 2014|archive-date=December 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225052848/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/10/01/welcome.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> At the same time, the magazine's podcast, ''The Game Informer Show'', was launched.<ref>Andy Mcnamara, September 29, 2009,[https://www.gameinformer.com/b/podcasts/archive/2009/09/29/the-game-informer-show-episode-1.aspx The Inaugural Game Informer Show: Episode 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127200658/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/podcasts/archive/2009/09/29/the-game-informer-show-episode-1.aspx |date=2019-11-27 }} Game Informer</ref>

When the magazine folded in 2024, the website's content was deleted and replaced with a splash page announcing the closure for any links to the website.<ref name="folded" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> ''Aftermath'' reported that there are independent archival projects "in the works".<ref name=":2" />

====Australian edition====
In November 2009, ''Game Informer'' was launched in Australia by former Australian ''GamePro'', ''Gameplayer'' and ''[[Official PlayStation Magazine (Australia)|Official PlayStation Magazine]]'' editor Chris Stead and publisher Citrus Media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/game-informer-magazine-launches-aussie-edition/|title=Game Informer Magazine Launches Aussie Edition|author=Wildgoose, David|date=November 3, 2009|work=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Univision Communications]]|access-date=November 3, 2009|archive-date=November 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106115139/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/game-informer-magazine-launches-aussie-edition/|url-status=dead}}</ref> By June 2010, ''Game Informer Australia'' had become the first local games publication to pass 10,000 subscribers. By August 18, 2010, it had become Australia's biggest-selling video games publication.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ebgames.com.au/news-805-Game-Informer-Officially-Australias-1-Games-Magazine|title=Game Informer Officially Australia's #1 Games Magazine|work=[[EB Games]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826074350/http://www.ebgames.com.au/news-805-Game-Informer-Officially-Australias-1-Games-Magazine|archive-date=August 26, 2010|access-date=August 18, 2010}}</ref>

''Game Informer Australia'' was closed down on April 18, 2019, as a result of cost-cutting measures from its publishing company [[EB Games Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-informer-australia-closed-down-in-wake-of-gamestop-cuts|title=Game Informer Australia closed down in wake of GameStop cuts|last=McAloon|first=Alissa|date=April 18, 2019|work=[[gamasutra]]|access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-date=April 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418193542/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/341077/Game_Informer_Australia_closed_down_in_wake_of_GameStop_cuts.php|url-status=live}}</ref> ''GI Australia'' editor David Milner noted on Twitter that despite the fact that "readership was up 19% over the last year", that "Recent ad sales, however, did not really reflect this"; he also noted the failed attempt at EB Games Australia's corporate parent GameStop to find a buyer after months on the market, causing their shares to drop.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DaveMilbo/status/1118684380036100097|title=David Milner statement via Twitter|access-date=April 17, 2019|work=Twitter|archive-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507121359/https://twitter.com/DaveMilbo/status/1118684380036100097|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Relaunch (2025–present)===
On March 19, 2025, ''Game Informer'' shared a short video on its social media channels "featuring the publication's farewell message"; this video included code, resembling an arcade game, at the bottom of the screen with the word "Continue" and ended with the date March 25 flashed, "suggesting a launch or announcement".<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=2025-03-19 |title=Former Game Informer staff tease a possible revival |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/632610/game-informer-returning-gamestop |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref> Former ''Game Informer'' staff also shared this video,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shirey |first=J. Brodie |date=2025-03-19 |title=Game Informer is Teasing Some Kind of Comeback |url=https://gamerant.com/game-informer-comeback-tease/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> with former director Brian Shea stating he could not "comment at this time but encouraged checking out the social media posts of his former colleagues".<ref name=":3" /> Then on March 25, 2025, ''Game Informer'' announced that Gunzilla Games, developers of ''[[Off The Grid|Off the Grid]]'', had purchased ''Game Informer'' and hired back the staff that had been laid off at its initial shutdown. They relaunched the website and digital archive with new articles and reviews for games that released during their initial shutdown with plans to revive the magazine later in the year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Washenko |first=Anna |date=March 25, 2025 |title=Game Informer is back and so is its entire team |url=https://www.engadget.com/gaming/game-informer-is-back-and-so-is-its-entire-team-210748358.html |access-date=March 25, 2025 |website=[[Engadget]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=March 25, 2025 |title=Game Informer has officially returned |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/635915/game-informer-return-gunzilla-games |access-date=March 25, 2025 |website=[[The Verge]] }}</ref>